New Course: Native American Philosophy (Spring 2010, 491: Special Topics)

Native American Philosophy
Dr. Kyle Powys Whyte (Citizen Potawatomi)

Native American Philosophy addresses both typically philosophical issues, from ethics to epistemology, and the social and political problems resulting from colonization. This course is an introduction to the Native American philosophical canon. We will begin the course by critically examining the debates over the nature and legitimacy of Native American epistemologies and ethics. We will then move on to addressing the ethics of Native artifacts, environmental injustice against Native Americans, Native American feminist philosophy, and the social and political theories behind recent attempts to justify “indigenous rights.” The final month of the course will be devoted to unpacking the emergence of critical indigenous philosophy, which challenges many of the assumptions that previously guided the other philosophical inquires by exploring new perspectives on sovereignty. This course is important for students interested in American Indian Studies, Philosophy, Environmental Studies, Political Science, and Law. The course texts will be primary readings from noted American Indian philosophers like Vine Deloria Jr., Paula Gunn Allen, Andrea Smith, Lee Hester, V.F. Cordova, Taiake Alfred, and Dale Turner, among others. An accompanying set of contextual readings on history and policy accompanies the primary readings.